Public Support for the Imposition of a Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and the Determinants of Such Support in Spain

Abstract

Background Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are an effective public health intervention, but can be difficult to implement in absence of public support. This is the first study to analyse the Spanish population’s support for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of the Spanish adult population (n=1002), using a computer aided telephone interview with a questionnaire on nutritional policies. We then performed a descriptive analysis of support for the tax. The sociodemographic determinants of support for the tax were analysed using Chi-squared test (χ2) and Poisson multiple regression models.Results A total of 66.9% of participants supported the introduction of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages: this figure lies midway between the figure of 64.1% when responders were asked about the tax before being asked about subsidies and tax relief, and that of 70% when they were asked about the tax after being asked about subsidies and tax relief ( p =0.049). Support for the tax was respectively 16% and 35% lower among persons reporting centre and right-wing political affiliations than among those who professed left-wing ideological sympathies ( p <0.01), and 16% lower among regular consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages than among non-consumers of these drinks ( p =0.01).Conclusions A clear majority of the Spanish population is in favour of imposing a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages. Awareness-raising campaigns and a policy of combining the measure with subsidies or tax cuts on healthy foods could increase the level of support among those currently against the intervention.